Coral Sea Marine Park Seabed Morphology and Geomorphology Maps

Geospatial seabed morphology and geomorphology maps cover the Flinders Reefs and Cairns Seamount within Australia's Coral Sea Marine Park. The data product was created by Geoscience Australia and partners using a nationally consistent two-part classification system applied to bathymetry digital elevation models. It was last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Classify seabed Morphology Feature types like topographic high, low, and planar using polygon extents and geometric attributes.
• Interpret geomorphic characterizations by integrating backscatter intensity, seabed imagery, and sediment samples with bathymetry DEM data.
• Map key seabed features at 1-meter horizontal resolution on the upper mesophotic zone of Cairns Seamount.
• Support marine spatial planning by analyzing the distribution of seabed geomorphology features across the Flinders Reefs area.

Strengths

• Maps derived from multibeam surveys gridded at 1 m and 8 m horizontal resolution.
• Applies a nationally consistent two-part seabed geomorphology classification system.
• Supplementary data includes backscatter intensity, seabed imagery, sediment samples, and sub-bottom profiles.

Limitations

• Spatial coverage is limited to two specific areas: Flinders Reefs and Cairns Seamount.
• Sample data and specific row/column counts are unavailable for assessment.
• The dataset's creation relies on interpretation and domain knowledge, introducing potential subjectivity.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network, incorporating data from Geoscience Australia and the Australian Hydrographic Office.

Collection Method

Semi-automated GIS mapping tools applied to bathymetry DEMs, supplemented by additional datasets for geomorphic interpretation.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated in April 2026.

Geography

Flinders Reefs and Cairns Seamount within the Coral Sea Marine Park, north-eastern Australia.